Picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments.



No. 680,305. Patented Aug. l3, 19m. H. WILBURN.

PIGKER MECHANISM FOR SIBINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application filed Dec. 22, 1900.)

(No Model.)

7-? Wilburn I UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIQE.

HUGH WILBURN, OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA.

PIC K ER MECHANISM FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters ratent N0. 680,305, datedAug'ust 13 1901. Application filed December 22, 1900- Serial No. 40,805. (No model.)

To all whom it 11%; concern.-

Be it known that I, HUGH WI-LBURN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Valparaiso, in the county of Porter and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picker Mechanism for style of instrument, and which will not detract from the tone quality of the instrument and insure uniform picking.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof, and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the inventionare necessarily susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of the picker mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device, parts being broken away and showing a section of a musical instrument to which it is fitted. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the bridge, the key-bar being omitted. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the keybar, the keys being removed. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a key and picker. Fig. 6 is a detail View of a picker. Fig. 7 is a modification of key and pick. 1

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

In its general construction the picker mechanism comprises a bridge consisting of a bar 1 and legs 2 and a key-bar 3, the latter being slidably mounted upon the bridge and pro:

vided with keys, to which the picks are attached. The legs 2 of the bridge are set in a short distance from the extremities of the bar 1, and preferably consist of blocks of rubber or kindred material, so as not to detract from the tone quality of the instrument. These legs 2 are detachably fitted to the bar 1, preferably by means of a dovetail joint, so as to admit of legs of required length being fitted to the bar 1, according to the distance of the strings from the plane of the top of the instrument to which the mechanism is to be applied. The device is secured to the musical instrument by means of a clamp contrivance, which in the present instance consists of blocks l, hooked bolts 5, and nuts 6-, which make screw-thread connection with the upper ends of the bolts 5, the lower ends of the latter engaging with the clamp-blocks 4. The top 7 of the instrument is clamped between the legs 2 and the blocks 4, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. An edge portion of the bar 1 is cut away intermediate of its extremities to provide clearance for the keys carried by the bar 3. Keepers 8 are applied to the end portions of the bar 1 and are open at one end, so as to admit of the ready detachment of the key-bar when required for any purpose. The overhanging portion of the keepers 8 is formed in its under side with a groove 9, extending lengthwise of the bar, to receive a spring 10 at each end of the key-bar, so as to hold the latter in place upon the bridge when properly fitted thereto. The bridge may have any desired form and be constructed of material best adapted for the purpose, and in its finish will depend upon the cost and character of the device when completed.

The key-bar 3 has its end portions reduced, forming extensions 11, which sit beneath the overhanging portions of the keepers 8. Springs 10 are secured at their inner ends to the key-bar adjacent the root of the extensions 11 and are adapted to enter the grooves 9 of the keepers and hold the key-barin place. Grooves 12 are formed in the extensions 11 opposite the springs 10 to admit of the latter being pressed therein when it is required to place the key-bar in position or remove it from the bridge. When the springs 10 are pressed into the grooves 12, they clear the outer side of the overhanging portion of the too keepers 8, thereby admitting of the extensions 11 passing freely beneath said overhanging parts of the keepers in either direction, according as the key-bar is placed in position or removed from the bridge. Keyguides 13 are formed in the bar 3 to receive the keys 14, which are directedin their move- 'ments thereby. These key-guides may be of any form and provided in any way found most convenient, and, as illustrated, theyconsist of parallel grooves cut in a side of the bar 3, thereby admitting of the keys being readily placed in position or removed, as desired, and providing a simple and cheap construction. A plate 15 is attached to the grooved side of the bar 3 and closes the outer side of the key-guides and holds the keys 14 in place. The upper edge of the plate is provided with a strip 16 of rubber or other yielding material to receive the impact of the pins or stops of the keys when depressed, so as to serve as a banking for a dynamical gage in tone. In order that the strip may be replaced when desired, it consists of the upper portion of an elastic band which is fitted around the edges of said plate and held thereto by frictional engagement. A rod 17 is secured to the same side of the bar 3 as the plate 15 and is spaced from the latter a short distance. This rod, like the plate 15, closes the open side of the key-guides 13 and serves in conjunction with said plate to hold the keys from casual displacement. Theplate15limitsthedownward movement of the keys 1st, whereas the rod 17 limits their upward movement, the space between the opposing edges of the said rod and plate determining the degree of movement of the keys.

The keys 1a fit snugly within the guides 13 and are adapted to work freely therein without any binding action, which is essential to the efficiency of a device of this character. 5

It is of the utmost importance that the keys be prevented from turning, hence they are of angular formation in cross-section, the guides 13 being of like form. The keys may be of uniform area throughout their length, so that their projecting ends are of the same size as a cross-section of the guides 13*, or an extension 18 may be fitted to the projecting end, which is of material advantage for the key to be operated by the little finger of the hand. The keys are spring-actuated-that is, they are held in a normal position by means of a spring. In the simplest form of construction, which is that illustrated, an elastic 19 extends about parallel with the rod 17 and is secured at its ends to a side of the barb beyond the extreme key-guides. This elastic consists of arubberband havingits ends fitted to pins 20 applied to the end portions of the key-bar. Other pins 21 are applied to the bar 3 intermediate of the key-guides 13 and engage with the elastic 19 at each side of said key-guides, so as to support the elastic and insure its positive action in returning the keys to a normal position after being operated.

Pins 22 are fitted to the keys 1i and engage with portions of the elastic intermediate of the pins 21. These pins 22 act jointly with the plate 15 and rod 17 to limit the movements of the keys. The pins 20 and 22' are preferably headed to prevent slipping of the elastic. The construction is such as to admit of a new elastic 19 being readily substituted for the old when worn or otherwise rendered unsuitable for further effective service. This elastic can be removed and placed in position without necessitating the loosening or detachment of any of the parts, as will be readily comprehended.

The picks 23 consist of pieces of celluloid, hard rubber, horn, ivory, and the like sufficiently thin to yield and prevent injurious contact with the strings of the instrument. Rubber or analogous material 2a is fitted to the upper end of each pick, so as not to detract from the quality of tone and to enable a firm connection being had between the pick and the key. The rubber 24 is stretched over the upper end of the pick, so as to embrace the sides thereof, and comes between the pick and the walls of the kerf or cut 25, formed in each of the keys to receive the pick. A clamp-screw 26 connects the parts of the key separated by the kerf or cut 25 and prevents splitting of the key and enables the pick to be secured therein in an adjusted position. Upon loosening the clamp-screw 26 the walls of the kerf or out 25 will separate sufficiently to relax their grip upon the pick, thereby admitting of the latter being removed, placed in position, or adjusted as required.

Then the parts are properly assembled and the device secured to the top of a musical instrument, which is accomplished by passing the clamp-blocks at and the hooked ends of the bolts 5 through the opening in the top of i the musical instrument and clamping said top between the parts 2 and 4, the key-bar 3 1 is reciprocated by means of the thumb, which engages a holder 27, fitted to an end portion of the said key-bar, and upon depressing one or more of the keys the picks are projected into the path of the musical strings and the latter are sounded by contact of the picks therewith in the manner well understood.

The thumb-holder 27 preferably consists of a split ring shaped so as to comfortably and snugly fit the thumb of the performer. The holder is constructed of spring material, so as to conform to different-sized thumbs within certain limits and prevent lost motion, which is highly objectionable. The thumbholder is secured to the key-bar by means of a screw or analogous fastening, so as to admit of a holder of proper size being placed in position in the event of the one provided being either too small or too large. The keybar has a limited reciprocating movement of the bridge, stops 28 being provided for this purpose and attached to the lower side of the key-bar and adapted to engage with the ends of the bar 1 bordering upon the intermediate cut-away portion thereof. These stops 28 are of rubber, so as to obviate jar and objectionable noise.

As shown in Fig. 7, the kerf 25 may extend diagonally in the key, thereby admitting of the pick 23 striking the strings at an angle. The pick 23 is slotted at its upper end to admit of the clamp -screw 26 passing therethrough. The end of the key is beveled to serve as a dynamical gage in tone.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Ina picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments, the combination of a bar forming a support for the picker mechanism, legs detachably fitted to said bar to rest upon the top of the instrument, and means for securing said bar to the instrument, Sl1bSl1t11 tially as set forth.

2. In a picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments, the combination of a bar forming a support for the picker mechanism, legs detachably fitted to said bar to rest upon the top of the instrument,clamp-blocks adapted to cooperate withthe said legs, and hooked bolts and nuts to effect a clamping of the top of the instrument between the aforesaid legs and clamp-blocks, substantially as set forth.

3. In a picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments, a bar, keepers at theends of said bar and having one end open and having their overhanging portion grooved in its under side, a bar provided with the picker mechanism and having its end portions adapted to work beneath the overhangingportions 0f the aforesaid keepers, and springs applied to the end portions of said bar and fitted into the grooves of the aforementioned keepers, substantially as set forth.

4. In a picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments, a supporting-bar, keepers at the ends of said bar having one end open and having their overhanging portion grooved in its under side, a reciprocating bar provided with the picker mechanism and having its end portions cooperating with the aforementioned keepers and grooved in theirtop sides, and springs secured to the end portions of the reciprocating bar opposite the grooves formed therein and entering the grooves of the aforesaid keepers, substantially as set forth.

5. In a picker mechanism for musical in struments, a bridge having an edge portion cut away intermediate of its ends. and provided with keepers at its ends, a key-bar mounted to reciprocate upon the bridge and having its end portions cut away and held in place by said keepers, stops applied to the key-bar to engage with the end portions of the bridge formed by the cut away part thereof, and depressible keys applied to the key-bar and provided with picks, substantially as set forth.

6. In combination, abar having a series of key-guides opening through a side thereof, a series of keys mounted to reciprocate in the said guides, and an elastic stretched across the open sides of the key-guides and adapted to engage with the keys to hold them in a given position, substantially as set forth.

7. In combination, a bar provided with a series of key-guides opening through a side thereof, keys mounted to reciprocate in the said guides, an elastic stretched across the open sides of the key-guides and secured at its ends to the bar, pins applied to the bar at each side of the key-guides to engage with the elastic and to form supports therefor at intervals in its length, and other pins applied to the keys to engage with the elastic intermediate of the supporting-pins therefor, substantially as set forth.

8. In combination, a bar having a series of key-guides opening through a side thereof, spaced strips secured to a side of said bar and closing the open side of the key-guides, keys mounted to reciprocate in the said guides and held therein by the strips, and pins applied to the keys and operating in the space formed between the aforesaid spaced strips and adapted to engage therewith to limit the movements of the keys, substantially as specified.

9. In combination, a bar having a series of key-guides opening through a side thereof, keys mounted to reciprocate in said guides, spaced strips secured to the bar and closing the open side of the key-guides, an elastic stretched across the open side of the keyguides and supported at intervals in its length at each side of the respective keyguides, and pins applied to the keys to engage with the said elastic and adapted to operate in the space formed between the aforementioned spaced strips to limit the movement of the keys, substantially as specified.

10. In picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments, a key having a kerf, a picker inserted in said kerf, and a clampscrew connecting the parts of the key sepa rated by the kerf so as to secure the picker in an adjusted position, substantially as specified.

11. In picker mechanism for stringed musical instruments, a key provided with a kerf, a clamp-screw connecting the parts separated by said kerf, and a picker having the upper portion of its sides protected by an elastic covering and adapted to be secured in the kerf in an adjusted position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I-IU GI'I WILBURN.

Witnesses:

PHILIP O. GOULD, CLINTON W. CLEVELAND.

ICC 

